Duplex separable fasteners for uniting multiple members



June 9, 1959 H. MORIN DUPLEX SEPARABLE FASTENERS FOR UNIT-INC MULTIPLE MEMBERS Filed Feb. 21, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet} INVENTOR LOUIS H. MORIN ATTORNEY.

June 9, 1959 H. MORIN 2,889,605

DUPLEX SEPARA BLE FASTENERS FOR UNITING MU LTIPLE MEMBERS Filed Feb. 21, 1955 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR. LOUIS H. MORIN ATTORNEY.

DUPLEX SEPARABLE FASTENERS FOR UNITING MULTIPLE MEMBERS Louis H. Morin, Bronx, N.Y. Application February 21, 1955, Serial No. 489,619

12 Claims. c1. 24 2o5) This invention relates to separable fasteners employing stringers with sliders movable along the stringers in coupling and uncoupling the same, More particularly, the invention deals with a single separable fastener employing multiple stringers coupled and uncoupled through action of a pair of sliders in coupling and uncoupling a plurality of members.

Still more particularly, the invention deals with a separable fastener structure, wherein one long and two short stringers are employed, the long stringer having a single box part, with which coupling pin members of the other stringers are detachably coupled in complete separation of the fastener and the members, to which the fastener stringers are attached.

Further, my invention deals with a separable fastener, wherein yieldable means is provided on the supporting member of two stringers bridging intersections of said stringers, facilitating coupling and uncoupling of the pins of said stringers with the box part of the companion stringer.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a separable fastener made according to my invention, with parts of the construction broken away and indicating the fastener in a partially closed position.

Fig. 2 is a view, similar to Fig. 1, showing the parts in a different position, with two of the stringers detached with respect to a third stringer.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a box part which I employ, detached.

Fig. 4 is a perspective View, diagramamtically illustrating the use of the fastener shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, on a garment, with one end portion of the fastener and the garment in partially opened position; and

Fig. 5 is a detailed view, generally similar to the showing in Fig. 1, with the fastener attached to a modified form of garment.

My improved separable fastener is what may be termed a multiple stringer-type, adapting the fastener for uses wherein multiple members or garment parts or sectional portions of a garment part may be independently coupled and uncoupled in the operation of adjusting a garment upon the body of the wearer, as well as in applying-and removing the garment with respect to the body of the wearer.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, 1 have shown one form of fastener, comprising a long stringer having end stops 11 at opposed ends thereof, 'intermediately of which the stringer has a coupling box part 12. The box part 12 is shown in perspective detail in Fig. 3 of the drawing and comprises, at one side thereof, an elongated channel tube .13, in which the beaded edge 14 of the stringer 10 is adapted to be secured, the box part haying, centrally thereof, an enlarged body 15 extending above and below 2,889,6115 Patented June 9, 1959 ice the channel 13, the body 15 having extending side hookshaped flanges 16, forming channels into which male coupling pins 17 and 18 of two associated stringers 19 and 20 are adapted to pass in the operation of coupling the stringers 19 and 21) with the stringer 10.

The box part 12 may be said to be a dual box part adapting the same to the duplex stringer structure employed, that is to say, facilitating coupling and uncoupling ofthe stringers 19 and 20 with respect to the stringer 10,

0 each stringer 19 and 211 being individually coupled and uncoupled, as will be readily apparent from the disclosure and from descriptive uses, later set forth.

I The stringer 10 includes, between the ends of the channel 13 and the stops 11, longitudinally spaced links or scoops 21, which are adapted to be coupled and uncoupled with corresponding scoops 22 land 23 of the stringers 19 and 2%. The scops 22 and 23 extend from the coupling pins 17, 18 to the ends of the stringers and these ends may include end stops 11', similar to the stops 11. At this time, it will be pointed out that the stops 11 are sufiicient to check full closing movement of two sliders 24 and 25. Therefore, in some uses, the stops 11 will not be employed.

The sliders 24 and 25 are only shown in outline in the accompanying drawing as, in themselves, they form no specific part of the present invention, but any type and kind of the known sliders can be used, that is to say, those of the normal simple type or those of the automatic locking type can be employed.

It will be noted, from a consideration of Figs. 1 and 2, that the ends of the stringers, with which the coupling pins 17 and 18 are attached, have the inwardly folded tape portions 19, 20 to finish said ends. It will also appear that the coupling pins 17 and 18 include projecting bar portions 17', 18, which abut the channel 13, as indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawing, in alinin-g the stringers one withrespect to the other.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing, the adjacent end portions of the stringers 19 and 211 are shown in coupled engagement with the stringer 10 with the sliders 24 and 25 spaced from but in close proximity to the box part 12 and the pins 17 and 18.

, In separating the stringers, the sliders 24 and 25 are brought into abutting engagement with the enlarged body 15 of the box part, as indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawing, after which, the stringers 19 and 20 are free to be withdrawn from the box part 12 through each of the sliders.

In recoupling the stringer parts, it will be apparent that the pins 17 and 18 are passed through the sliders 24 and 25 into the flanged side of the box part, after which, the sliders are moved in opposed directions, in the manner partially seen in Fig. l of the drawing, in securing the stringers together.

In order to illustrate a use of the duplex stringer structure, I have. diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawing, a foundation-type of garment 26 arranged upon the body of a wearer, which is partly outlined at 27. The garment has a vertical opening 28 therein, as partially noted at thelower portion of Fig. 4, which opening is controlled by the duplex stringer structure and, at the widest portion of the garment, one side of the garment is divided, as indicated at 29, for a portion of the side or from a part of the front to a portion of the rear around the side to provide, at said side of. the garment, upper and lower sections 30 and 31, the section 30 enveloping the upper portion of the hips and part of the waist, whereas, the portion 31 envelopes the lower portion of the hips. The other side portion 32 of the garment is continuous or, in other words, one piece from the top to the bottom of .the garment. It will be apparent that the stringer 10 would beattached to the side portion 32 of the garment; whereas, the stringers 19 and 20 would be secured to the garment sections 30, 31, respectively. Part of the stringer 10 is indicated diagrammatically at the lower portion of Fig. 4, as is also part of the stringer 20. The box part is diagrammatically seen at 12 and the two sliders at 24 and 25. The stringer attached to the upper section 30 is shown in full coupled engagement with the upper portion of the stringer 10.

With the use of the fastener, as diagrammatically shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing, it will be apparent that the sections 30, 31 can be independently coupled and uncoupled in the operation of attaching and detaching the garment with respect to the body of the wearer. It will also be understood that, in utilizing lock sliders, these sliders can be stopped and retained at different positions on the coupled stringers in control of the support of the garment upon the body of the wearer. For example, the slider 25 is shown stopped at a point above the lower edge of the garment in the diagrammatic showing.

In Fig. of the drawing, I have shown a modified use over the use showing in Fig. 4, wherein upper and lower portions or sections 30, 31', generally similar to the sections 30, 31, instead of have free opposed edges, have a V-shaped cutout 33 disposed therebetween and attached to the opposed edges or end portions thereof is an elastic gusset 34. In the closed position of the garment as shown, the gusset is not under any appreciable tension. With this structure, the stringers 19 and 20 will be stitched to the parts 30', 31 up to the positions 35 or, in other words, in alinement with the stitchings 36 employed in securing the gusset 34 to the sections 30', 31'. In Fig. 5, the side portion 32' of the garment will be similar to the side portion 32 of Fig. 4 and the only difference in the two structures is that, instead of detaching free corner portions of the sections 30, 31 from the box part 12, as would be the case with the structure shown in Fig. 4, these corner portions are held in coupled relationship by the wide outer portion 34 of the gusset 34 and this wide outer portion of the elastic gusset will facilitate free withdrawal of the coupling pins of the stringers 19 and 20 with respect to the box part 12, as well as with respect to the sliders of the stringers during the step of uncoupling the sections 30' and/or 31 with respect to the section 32'.

While different uses of the duplex stringer are possible, the uses herein shown are simply to illustrate one adaptation of the invention and such uses are desirable, particularly with garments of the specific type and kind under consideration. Here, it must also be apparent that the garment structure, in itself, is distinct from conventional garments of this type and kind, particularly in the inde pendent coupling of the sectional portions of the garment. It will be understood that the sliders 24 and 25 remain, at all times, in coupled engagement with the stringer 10.

For purposes of description, the scoops 21 of the stringer may be said to comprise scoop lengths which are arranged between the channels 13 and the end stops 11.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A separable fastener for coupling and uncoupling multiple members, said fastener comprising a long stringer having end portions and two short stringers, sliders mounted on and movable along the long stringer, and means, at said end portions of the long stringer, for retaining the sliders against displacement therefrom, the long stringer, intermediate its ends, having a box part including means adapted to receive a pin in coupling relation, and each of said short stringers having, at one end thereof, a pin adapted to be coupled with the box part, with the sliders of the long stringer arranged on said box part in the operation of coupling the short stringers with said long stringer by movement of the slider in the direction of the end portions of said long stringer.

2. A separable fastener for coupling and uncoupling multiple members, said fastener comprising a long stringer having end portions and two short stringers, sliders mounted on and movable along the long stringer, and

means, at said end portions of the long stringer, for retaining the sliders against displacement therefrom, the long stringer, intermediate its ends, having a box part, each of said short stringers having, at one end thereof, a pin adapted to be coupled with the box part, with the sliders of the long stringer arranged on said box part in the operation of coupling the short stringers with said long stringer by movement of the sliders in the direction of the end portions of said long stringer, and said box part having an enlarged central portion and a channelled side portion adapted to receive the pins of said short stringers.

3. A separable fastener for coupling and uncoupling multiple members, said fastener comprising a long stringer having end portions and two short stringers, sliders mounted on and movable along the long stringer, and means, at said end portions of the long stringer, for retaining the sliders against displacement therefrom, the long stringer, intermediate its ends, having a box part, each of said short stringers having, at one end thereof, a pin adapted to be coupled with the box part, with the sliders of the long stringer arranged on said box part in the operation of coupling the short stringers with said long stringer by movement of the sliders in the direction of the end portions of said long stringer, said box part having an enlarged central portion and a channelled side portion adapted to receive the pins of said short stringers, said short stringers being independently attachable and de tachable with respect to the long stringer, and adjacent ends of said sliders abutting the enlarged central portion of the box part in the operation of coupling and uncoupling the short stringers with the long stringer.

4. A separable fastener for coupling and uncoupling multiple members, said fastener comprising along stringer having end portions and two short stringers, sliders mounted on and movable along the long stringer, and means, at said end portions of the long stringer, for retaining the sliders againsttdisplacement therefrom, the long stringer, intermediate its ends, having a box part, each of said short stringers having, at one end thereof, a pin adapted to be coupled with the box part, with the sliders of the long stringer arranged on said box part in the operation of coupling the short stringers with said long stringer by movement of the sliders in the direction of the end portions of said long stringer, the box part having an enlarged central portion that is channelled outwardly with respect to the long stringer for reception of the pins of said short stringers, and said box part and pins, beyond the limits of the enlarged central portion, having means extending into the sliders when in abutting engagement with the enlarged portion of said box part.

5. In separable fasteners of the character described, a long stringer having scoop lengths arranged at end portions thereof, a dual box part arranged intermediate the stringer ends and dividing said scoop lengths, a slider movable along each scoop length, the box part having an enlarged portion checking movement of the sliders toward each other, said enlarged portion having a channelled side opening in the direction of each scoop length, free end portions of the stringer having means retaining the sliders against displacement from each scoop length of said stringer, and independent companion stringers attachable and detachable with respect to the scoop lengths of said first named stringer, each companion stringer being attachable to one of said scoop lengths through one of said openings of said enlarged portion of the box part.

6. In articles of manufacture employing a pair of independent members adapted to be coupled with a third member, a separable fastener comprising one long and two short stringers, the long stringer being fixed to said third member, said short stringers being fixed to the independent members, the long stringer having a box part and a pair of sliders arranged at end portions of the long stringer and movable toward and from said boX part, and means, at ends of the long stringer, for retaining the sliders against displacement therefrom, and said short stringers having coupling pins movable into and out of the sliders and box part when the sliders are in abutting engagement with said box part.

7. In articles of manufacture employing a pair of independent members adapted to be coupled with a third member, a separable fastener comprising one long and two short stringers, the long stringer being fixed to said third member, said short stringers being fixed to the independent members, the long stringer having a box part and a pair of sliders arranged at end portions of the long stringer and movable toward and from said box part, and means, at ends of the long stringer, for retaining the sliders against displacement therefrom, said short stringers having coupling pins movable into and out of the sliders and box part when the sliders are in abutting engagement with said box part, and adjacent end portions of said members, in the environment of said box part, having means yieldably coupling said adjacent end portions.

8. In garments of the character described, having a long side and independent short sides at an opening in the garment, a multiple separable fastener for independently coupling and uncoupling the short sides of the garment with said long side, and said fastener including a pair of sliders movable along and retained against displacement from the long side of the garment for coupling and uncoupling the short sides with said long side.

9. In garments of the character described, having a long side and independent short sides at an opening in the garment, a multiple separable fastener for independently coupling and uncoupling the short sides of the garment with said long side, said fastener including a pair of sliders movable along and retained against displacement from the long side of the garment for coupling and uncoupling the short sides with said long side, said short sides of the garment having spaced adjacent edges, and yieldable means joining said spaced edges.

10. A garment of the character described, having a vertical opening therein, a horizontal division in the garment extending into said opening and dividing one side of the garment into independent members adapted for attachment and detachment with respect to the other side of said opening, and means for independently coupling and uncoupling said members with said other side of the garment, said means comprising a separable fastener stringer attached to each of said members and to said other side, said stringers on said members being couplable to and uncouplable from said stringer on said other side.

11. A garment of the character described, having a vertical opening therein, a horizontal division in the garment extending into said opening and dividing one side of the garment into independent members adapted for attachment and detachment with respect to the other side of said opening, means for independently coupling and uncoupling said members with said other side of the garment, said means comprising a separable fastener stringer attached to each of said members and to said other side, said stringers on said members being couplable to and uncouplable from said stringer on said other side, the horizontal division being defined by spaced end portions of said members, and yieldable means attached to said spaced portions of said members and.

bridging the spacing thereof.

12. In separable fasteners of the character described, a first stringer having scoops thereon, a box part on the stringer intermediate ends of the latter so that a length of scoops is disposed above and below said box part, said box part having openings in opposite ends thereof, a pair of independent companion stringers each couplable to and uncouplable from a length of scoops on said first stringer, and said companion stringers each having a pin part at an end portion thereof which is engageable in one of said openings of said box part.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,183,511 Adams May 16, 1916 2,254,578 OBrien Sept. 2, 1941 2,296,358 Marinsky Sept. 22, 1942 2,612,643 Perry Oct. 7, 1952 2,715,732 Gamboni Aug. 23, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 276,076 Italy July 11, 1930 651,672 Germany Oct. 16, 1937 

